Yellow-faced Whip Snake

Demansia psammophis

Identification:

The Yellow-faced Whip Snake is very slender and is pale bluish grey to light olive green. It typically has a reddish tinge on the neck and front third of its back. The eye is large and is encircled by a pale ring. There is a black, comma-shaped marking beneath the eye and a dark, pale-edged line on the tip of the snout running between the nostrils. The belly is usually greenish-grey. This species grows to 1 m. Midbody scale rows 15; ventrals 165–230; anal and subcaudals divided.

Distribution:

This snake is widespread over a large portion of mainland Australia.

Habitat:

Found in open forests, farmland and suburban gardens.

Habits:

This snake is fast and alert. It is active by day.

Danger:

This snake is potentially dangerous and should be treated with caution. The symptoms are usually local. If bitten, apply first aid and seek urgent medical attention. First aid procedure for any snakebite from the Australian Venom Research Unit.

Food:

This snake usually feeds on lizards and their eggs but will also eat frogs and other snakes.

Breeding:

Up to 9 eggs are laid between February and March. The hatchling snakes are around 17 cm from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail (snout-vent length).

Similar species:

This snake is superficially similar to the Green Tree snake, Dendrelaphis punctulata, which lacks markings around the eyes and the reddish tinge seen on the neck of the Yellow-faced Whip Snake.

Yellow-faced Whip Snake, Demansia psammophis

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